Professional background: I was trained as a physicist, and have been a manager of Earth science satellite data for NASA, NCAR and NOAA.

Political/community experience: I have been on the boards of many local non-profits. I'm currently the vice-president of eGo CarShare, the president of the Southern Plains Land Trust, and the chief technical officer of Animal Watch Colorado. I have also served on the city's Environmental Advisory Board and a Transportation Technical Advisory Team.

Education: I received a Ph.D. in physics in 1993 from Johns Hopkins University. My dissertation was on how clouds interact with the Earth's climate.

Name a person you admire and explain why: I admire NASA climate scientist Dr. James Hansen for his willingness to speak out on behalf of the Earth and future generations.

Daniel Ziskin

Most scientists are reluctant to put their credibility on the line to join the political debate. He is a role model for other scientists.

Tell us something unusual about yourself that few people know: I know American Sign Language.

The city of Boulder has taken a hard look at its energy future lately. What are the most important criteria to you in making decisions about where and how the city gets its energy in the coming years?

We have extraordinary public support for a speedy transition to clean renewable energy. Yet we are being asked to sign a 20-year contract with a company that has invested billions of dollars into its coal plants.

Full preview of all candidates running for elected office in Boulder and Broomfield counties this fall, as well as all ballot issues to be decided.

The first criteria is to ask, "Can we be faithful to our aspirations and manifest our values with a partner like Xcel?" Can Boulder manage a reliable and economically feasible utility? I have faith in the studies performed by the CU professors (Dr. Weaver and Dr. Selto) and by the city staff's consultants who have guardedly responded that we can do this. Xcel removes nearly $30 million in profit from Boulder every year. Is there a way we can keep that money in our community?

The city of Boulder has struggled with a budget gap in recent years. What would you do to make sure spending stays in check while providing a high level of services to the community?

I support the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission II that suggested that Boulder create measurable outcome goals for city services.

By looking objectively at what we actually achieve for our spending, we will have a clear sense of how to cut municipal spending with the least reduction of valued services.

The most recent U.S. Census numbers show Boulder's population is nearing 100,000 people. What would you do to ensure the city's continued economic growth while also providing housing and jobs in a city that has strict growth limitations?

There are smart ways to grow that would benefit our community. For example, I believe in increasing the density of housing in transit corridors to both leverage the value of the infrastructure investments and stimulate economic vitality in mixed-use areas of town.

I also support increasing our density without building up or out through the conversion of garages and carriage houses into Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). This is a process that many people have done, but also many have been stymied by restrictive zoning requirements.

It's time to re-examine our own regulations and revise them where appropriate.

Boulder is pretty good at producing rock bands, and by "rock," we mean the in-your-face, guitar-heavy, leather-clad variety — you know, the good kind. For a prime example, look no farther than BANDITS. Full Story